"In terms of cryptocurrencies, generally, I can say with almost certainty that they will come to a bad ending," told financial TV channel CNBC, but added: "When it happens or how or anything else, I don't know."

The price of bitcoin surged in 2017 from a low of around $750 in early January to a record above $19,500 in mid- December, before tumbling on global exchanges, according to Bloomberg News. It bought around $13,500 in afternoon trade today.

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